Narinder Pal Singh Narinder Pal Singh is a multifaceted individual— a soldier, diplomat, administrator, adventurous traveller with a talent for languages, novelist, and poet. Throughout his distinguished career, he has left an indelible mark as an author. His service in World War II took him to West Asia, and he later held esteemed positions as India’s Military Attaché in Kabul and France, as well as Deputy Military Secretary to President Dr S. Radhakrishnan. A prolific writer, Singh’s impressive body of work reflects a rare blend of military professionalism and literary brilliance. Among his many novels, ‘Shakti’ stands out for its portrayal of women as the true centres of power within the family structure. Similarly, ‘Punnyake Massya’ (The Night of the Full Moon or Darkness), written using the stream-of-consciousness technique, and ‘Tapu’ (The Island), an allegorical work, have significantly contributed to Singh’s reputation as a remarkable novelist. His literary achievements have helped solidify his position as an extraordinary figure in contemporary fiction. What is less known about Singh is his proficiency in French literature. He has published numerous works in the French language and was honoured by the prestigious French Académie des Arts, des Sciences et des Lettres. In 1968, he was awarded the ‘Grand Médaille d’Or de la Ville de Paris’. His historical novel ‘Sir Dije Kan na Kije’ (The Dauntless Embrace Death with Willful Delight), which chronicles the history of Punjab from 1710 to 1849, has been lauded as his magnum opus. In this masterpiece, Singh captures the essence of Punjab through a gripping and creative fusion of social, economic, political, spiritual, emotional, and historical elements, presenting a work of deep pathos and literary depth. This novel earned him the Sahitya Academy Award, cementing his legacy as an influential voice in Punjabi literature. Celebrated author Khushwant Singh praised the novel, stating, “This is the first time in the history of Punjabi literature that anyone has attempted such a grand canvas. It is no surprise that the person with the courage to take on this challenge is a professional soldier who has already made a name for himself as a prolific and successful writer.” The Tribune aptly summed up Singh’s contribution: “This quartet of novels by Narinder Pal Singh is worth a dozen histories.”